1984 Jeep CJ-7 Progress 2016 12 08

Click picture to see larger image

Well the Motor Home is put to sleep for the winter. I will go over every month or so and crank up the generator to charge up the batteries. I need something to work on.

dsc_1300I have the Jeep in the garage to finish up on a couple of things before I put it to bed for the winter.

 

 

It developed a squeak over the summer when it hits a hard abrupt bump. It sounded like it was coming from under the passenger seat, and it still does it when someone is sitting in the seat so I do not think it is the seat.

I first thought that the windshield binding bolt on the passenger side was loose, but I have tried tightening it and it still does it with the top on.

Right under the passenger seat is a body mount, I checked them all and all the bushings all seem fine and the bolts are all there.

When I installed the lift kit, it came with polyurethane bushings which I generally recommend not using. They came with the kit so I did used them.

dsc_1301I was hoping I had found the problem when I tried to grease them. The grease did not squeeze out between the four main bushings (the ones in the springs that do not go to a shackle) and the spring mounts in the frame. Instead the grease actually came out the treads of the bolt.

 

 

dsc_1303                                     dsc_1305

dsc_1306So I removed the bolt and checked to see if the hole in the bolt was allowing grease to come out inside the bushing and it was. The inside of the bushing was coated in grease. So I put it all back together knowing I have not found the problem.

 

 

dsc_1305I was looking at the bushing and was thinking that the edge of the bushing looked all chewed up and dry. There are no metal sleeves in the main spring bushings, and all four of them behaved the same way (grease came out the threads). So What I did with the bushings was loosen the nuts to let the mounts relax and then greased the bushings again. 

 

I was able to get grease to come out between the bushing and the mount this way. Not sure this will resolve the problem, I do not believe so. On the Jeep Forum it was suggested that the shock mount might be loose so I have checked those also and they also seem to be fine.

So while I contemplate my next move to find the squeak I want to change the differential oil as the last time I had it down the oil looked gunky (I think that is a technical term).

dsc_1309So off comes the cover and the oil really did not look that bad, not perfect, but not bad either. Looks like I went a little over board with the silicone sealer last time I was in here.

 

 

 

dsc_1312Time to get it all cleaned up. The cover is also carefully examined to make sure the edges are still flat. I was a little bit of a struggle to get it off and a screwdriver was used to pry it away from the axle housing.

 

 

dsc_1313I know most people just use silicone to seal the cover, but I like to use the gasket also, so let’s test fit it.

 

 

 

I like the Permatix Ultra Black. What I do to this gasket is to put a ¼ inch bead on one side and then use my fingers to spread it evenly around on all the edges. 

dsc_1314                                   dsc_1315

It will then stick in place on the differential housing while I bolt the cover up. The bolts are only snugged up (just beyond finger tight) and let sit for at least an hour to wait on the silicone to get a chance to start to cure. Then the bolts are tightened up.

dsc_1316                                 dsc_1317

dsc_8579After the assemble has sat overnight so that the silicone can fully cure, the oil is added until it starts to run out of the fill hole. I allow it to continue to run back out until it stops and then put the plug back in.

 

 

I’m thinking the squeak will have to wait until spring as there are a number of other projects I need garage space to complete:

1) Putting a transmission, fuel system, electrical system into the 1949 Gasser project
2) Getting the three wheeler serviced for the next racing season (it is the dragster tow vehicle).
3) Pulling the current engine in the dragster and putting the new one in (stepping up to the 7.0 index (1/4 mile in 7 seconds)).